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An academic resume is an important tool for elevating your application packet. This is the one instance where its ok to “brag” about your accomplishments!
In a competitive academic market, many students find themselves lost in the shuffle, especially when other applicants have similar academic histories. Academic and extracurricular activities are what set you apart from the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other candidates vying for the same seat in college that you really want. Admission directors know that past achievement usually predicts future performance. They also know that achievers are self-starters, motivated, and an asset to their school.
Remember, admissions directors have dozens of resumes to review each day. In that sea of paper, accomplishments are what capture and retain their interest, so to make certain that you get noticed, highlight your academic honors, awards, and accomplishments.
What is an accomplishment?
Accomplishments are relevant honors, achievements, or awards that you earned for exceeding average standards in either academics, athletics, or in a work environment. Some examples of accomplishments are:
– Scholarships
– Honor Roll inclusion for high grades
– Awards won for specific activities or subjects (i.e., Best Dancer, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Distinguished Art Award)
– Inclusion in student-related achievement publications (i.e.: Who’s Who in American High Schools)
– Perfect attendance awards
– Work-related awards (i.e.: Top Sales Performer)
– Promotions to leadership positions in your job (i.e.: Shift Supervisor)
– Volunteer-related awards (i.e.: Volunteer of the Year)
As you can see, the key is to provide an admissions director with relevant academic honors and achievements that highlight your particular background. Be sure to include other honors and awards as you see fit.
What is not an accomplishment?
Any regular activity that does not include attainment of an award, scholarship, or other means of recognition should not be listed as an accomplishment since your ability to be extraordinary has not been measured by an organization.
Examples:
– Performing daily tasks correctly
– Promptness for meetings
– Being congenial or friendly
– Attending school on a daily basis
Describing your accomplishments
When describing honors, awards, or accomplishments on your resume, use strong language to get your point across as effectively as possible.
Keep the following tips in mind:
Avoid vague, self-serving statements on your student resume by using quantifiable data.
Weak:
High School Senior with good grades
Strong:
High School Senior consistently named to the Honor Roll, 2000-2004; Member of the National Honor Society
Avoid accomplishments that have nothing to do with your future career goal, your current job search, or those that do not enhance your candidacy.
Don’t use:
Beauty contest “Miss Congeniality” winner
Use:
Won Award at High School Science Fair, 2002
Be specific with details to capture and retain interest.
Weak:
Won Award for Best Art.
Strong:
Earned Excellence Award for Artwork (pen & ink drawings), 2008-2010
Weak:
Helped customers in the showroom.
Strong:
Increased sales by $5,000 during summer by helping clients in the showroom. This resulted in sales to 8 out of 10 customers.
Featuring honors, awards, and accomplishments on your resume
Accomplishments, no matter how stellar, will do little to enhance your chances of getting into school unless they are properly showcased in your student resume or entry-level resume. If you bury them within your general academic information, they may not be seen. Remember, admissions directors review many resumes. If it’s hard for them to find important information on your resume, they may pass on your candidacy.
Emphasize your academic, work, or volunteer recognitions by creating a specific honors, awards, and accomplishments section on your resume. Make sure to provide the following details when including your accomplishments:
– Date of recognition or award
– Purpose of award and accomplishment it recognizes (i.e.:Academic, athletic, job-related)
– Significance of award (i.e.: What did you have to accomplish?
Are you the only one who received the award? )
– Scope of the award (i.e.: National, regional, or local)